Challenges Forum

Photo: Axel Öberg/Challenges Forum

The International Forum for the Challenges of Peace Operations (Challenges Forum) is a partnership dedicated to the advancement of UN peace operations. The Challenges Forum International Secretariat is hosted by the FBA in Stockholm, Sweden.

Challenges Forum provides a platform for dialogue among partner organizations from all continents, including the five permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council. It represents a unique network of ministries, governmental agencies, think-tanks and research institutions where military and police officers, academics, civil servants and diplomats all contribute.

FBA is hosting the Challenges Forum International Secretariat in coordination with the other Swedish partner organizations: the Swedish Armed Forces, Swedish Police and Swedish Prison and Probation Service.

Global activity includes an annual forum, seminars, working groups, studies, reports and field visits arranged and financed by the Challenges Forum’s partner organizations. Since its beginning in 1996, Challenges Forum has contributed to concept and doctrine development for international peace operations.

Read more on the Challenges Forum web site.

Women’s low participation in decision-making one of the main gender equality challenges

It was an international breakthrough for gender equality when 189 countries agreed on an action plan to strengthen women’s rights 25 years ago. Some years later, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, rooted in the action plan. The 2020 anniversary of the resolution is an occasion to celebrate women’s rights. But what is the status of gender equality today?

2020-10-28 08:00

On international deployment

Kristian Edqvist

Training manager in Brussels

Catalina Perdomo Rodriguez

Adviser to the UN in Colombia

Johan Chytraeus

Monitoring officer in Ukraine

Karolina Riedel

Statistician in election observation missions

Johan Fredborn Larsson

Political adviser in Mali

Vanda Dahlbom

Analyst in Iraq

Björn Tedeman

Election observer

Read our publications

Security Sector Reform for Practitioners

This booklet aims to provide the reader with a basic overview of security sector reform (SSR) as well as some initial insights necessary to engage in SSR programming.

Documents

Security sector reform for practitioners

More Publications

THE FBA BLOG

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Posted by Annika Folkeson
Avenues for accountability and participation: harnessing the power of the streets

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While much of the world awaits the upcoming US presidential elections in November, Iraq remains ensnared in its own deliberations over elections. Following the protests that escalated significantly in October 2019, the government resigned and early elections are now set for June 2021.

The lack of jobs and public services, as well as rampant corruption, are among the grievances that have set off demonstrations across much of southern and central Iraq, as well as parts of Kurdistan ... Read entire post »
2020-10-22 12:19
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Posted by Minna Naucler
‘Defund the police’ and reforming the security sector

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In the midst of the pandemic, riots and unrest continues in the US over the recent cases of police brutality that resulted in the deaths of several African American individuals. While the Black Lives Matter movement continues to draw attention to the structural racism and inequalities of the American society, one of the slogans of the movement is ‘defund the police’ – seemingly meaning to disband or even abolish the police and give their funding to… ... Read entire post »
2020-09-30 12:26
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Posted by Rhodri Williams
Civil society as a critical partner: rule of law and accountability in the Liberian COVID response

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The rule of law is broadly recognized as necessary for good governance, peace and security. The UN 2030 Agenda recognizes this dynamic in all countries, rich or poor. However, the impact of the rule of law – or its absence – is most strongly felt in countries struggling with conflict and crisis.

As part of its work in Liberia, the FBA has supported local partners to apply rule of law principles in public administration. This reflects a ... Read entire post »
2020-09-14 10:34